A Little Less Urban, But No Less Current

Meg Beekman, Community Development Coordinator, City of Hopkins; Paul Bilotta, Director of Economic Development, City of Roseville; Marc Nevinski, Director of Planning, City of Golden Valley

We live in a complex metropolitan region, far more complex than the too frequent and inaccurate claim that we are an “urban core surrounded by sprawling suburbs.” Such a characterization denies the fact that a considerable amount of the complexity in our region lies within the first ring of suburbs surrounding Minneapolis and Saint Paul. Each suburb is a unique community that can boast diversity, culture, and amenities that align them more with their core city neighbors than their suburban cousins.

Over the next several months, we will examine the challenges and opportunities facing several of our proud inner ring communities. We have invited Planners and Visionaries from these communities to share with us how they have changed and how they will continue to change in the upcoming decade. We will discuss commonalities and differences, opportunities and issues, as we gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the complexities that our region has to offer.